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Giuseppe Gift Completes Greene Center Campaign

Charlottesville, VA - With a $500,000 gift from Ethyle Cole Giuseppe, Piedmont Virginia Community College has successfully completed its fundraising campaign to create a center in Stanardsville, PVCC officials announced today.

In recognition of the gift, the facility will be named the PVCC-Eugene Giuseppe Center in honor of Mrs. Giuseppe's late husband. Eugene Giuseppe, who died in 2006, was for many years the principal of the Greene County Primary School.

In addition to supporting construction costs, the gift also establishes scholarships for Greene County residents. The Ethyle Cole Giuseppe Scholarships will be awarded through the PVCC Educational Foundation beginning in fall 2012.

"We are so pleased that Mrs. Giuseppe has chosen to honor her husband's legacy as a Greene County educator in this way," said PVCC President Frank Friedman. "Her generosity will ensure higher education opportunities for generations of Greene County residents. At the PVCC-Eugene Giuseppe Center, students will be able to begin their study toward a bachelor's degree as well as to prepare for jobs that are in demand in the region."

"My husband, Eugene Giuseppe, believed that education was the path to success-to being able to lead a meaningful and productive life," Mrs. Giuseppe wrote. "As a school principal and coach, he devoted his life to working with young people. This center in his name ensures that those who wish to pursue a college degree will have the opportunity right here in Greene County. In addition, the scholarship fund guarantees that deserving individuals will be able to prepare for the future."

She concluded: "This is the culmination of my dreams to honor Gene's life. I am proud that the PVCC-Eugene Giuseppe Center will be a lasting memorial to his legacy."

The PVCC-Eugene Giuseppe Center will occupy the second floor of the Greene County Library building. Construction is underway to turn 14,000 square feet of open space into classrooms, labs, a community meeting room and other facilities. The College expects to begin offering classes in the Center in August.

Mrs. Giuseppe's $500,000 gift is the second six-figure contribution to the project. Barbara Fried and her late husband, Mark, earlier committed a challenge gift of $250,000. The estimated cost to build out and furnish the space is $750,000. Total funds raised have surpassed $900,000. Money not expended for construction and furnishings will go for the Center's ongoing operations.

All donors will be recognized when the PVCC-Eugene Giuseppe Center opens in August.